Former New York Giant, Tiki Barber, is dedicated to helping kids in a number of ways. If he’s not raising money for local and national organizations, he is using his own foundation to better kids’ lives. Tiki is the Chairman of “Tiki Recreation”. This organization is Barber’s way of showing his commitment to improving communities and inspiring youth to achieve their dreams.
The Tiki Recreation’s most recent adventure was revealed on Monday, June 8th, at the Manhattan Plaza with the grand opening of New York’s first interactive Electronic Playground on 43rd Street. Tenants' faces glowed with excitement. And who wouldn't be smiling for a brand new playground and of course, the presence of Tiki Barber?
Manhattan Plaza is an affordable housing complex and home to more than 3,500 residents. Because of a partnership between Tiki Recreation and Related Affordable, the Plaza tenants received an incredible playground makeover. A full renovation of equipment, surfacing, and landscaping was completed in order to bring the children of Manhattan Plaza a playground and sports court unlike any other in the eastern United States.
Mark Carbone, President of Related Affordable, explained, “Preserving and improving affordable housing and the quality of life for tenants is a key focus for Related Affordable. By providing innovative, challenging, and safe recreation opportunities, we're helping build healthy, active lifestyles at home where it counts the most.
When searching for the right solutions, we looked no further than Tiki Recreation.”Manhattan Borough President, Scott Stringer was proud to take part in the ceremony. All in attendance were truly ecstatic for the playground’s unveiling.
So what’s it like? KOMPAN and Tiki Recreation built a state-of-the-art, innovative playground for every age group. The digital playground equipment will be the first of its kind on the East Coast and represents the most advanced outdoor gaming system in the country. KOMPAN's ICON apparatus encourages children to be active by integrating digital games right into the equipment! The playground is also eco-friendly and made from recyclable materials using the most sustainable practices.
This is the sixth time Tiki Recreation and Related have teamed up to build new playgrounds in the past year, including two in Florida, two in Virginia, and a one in Yonkers. Together, Tiki Barber and Related Companies strive to promote healthy and active lifestyles for kids across the country.
Tiki’s mother always told him before games to “Play Proud”, and now he has taken those words to unimaginable levels and enhanced the lives of countless children. On Monday he beamed, “Our playgrounds are places where children are encouraged to rise to the challenge, be creative, dream, and most importantly, Play Proud”. 
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